Brief case



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zzw/s 4/1 /41? United States Patent f 3,023,794 BRIEF CASE Lewis Lifton, Rex Bilt Leather Goods, Inc., 151 W. 26th St., New York, N.Y. Filed June 11, 1958, Ser. No. 741,244 7 Claims. (Cl. 150--1.6)

The present invention relates to a combination brief case and writing board.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a simple, durable, readily accessible combination brief case and writing board which will permit ready availability of the writing board when the user is in a train or aeroplane with the user being able to make notes or to conduct correspondence on said writing board.

Another object is to provide a combination brief casewriting board in which the writing board may readily be placed out of way in the brief case construction without interference with the papers or other objects that may be carried in the brief case and in a separate enclosure where it will be unobtrusive and will not interfere with the normal operation of the brief case construction.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood, however, that this more detailed description is given by way of illustration and explanation only and not by way of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most satisfactory to form as part of the outer brief case construction a pocket or receptacle into and from which the writing board may be inserted or removed. Desirably the writing board will be held attached to the brief case by means of relatively strong woven or corded textile or flexible straps, desirably of nylon or other strong textile materials and the straps are stitched or held in position in the extra compartment by means of suitable fastener elements or even by means of the stitching which is normally used to form the final brief cme construction.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, one of the side panels of the brief case is desirably longitudinally slitted adjacent the top open mouth thereof so that the inside of the main side Wall of the brief case may readily serve as the outside wall of the auxiliary pocket to receive the writing board. The inside pocket may be formed by an extra structural member so that one of the walls of the brief case will be of two-ply or double ply thickness.

The invention of the present application may be generally applied to brief case constructions whether they be of the thin carrier type with a zipper closure at one side thereof or whether they be of a complete flat bottom type which has a sufficiently wide base to stand and be supported thereby.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that'changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of one form of brief case construction according to the present invention showing the writing board inside of the brief case in its receptacle.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view similar to FIG. 1

3,023,794 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 showing the board removed from the interior of the brief case construction.

FIG. '3 is a top perspective view showing the brief case in open position.

FIG. 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view upon the line 44 of FIG. 2 showing the board removed from the brief case.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view upon the line 5-5 of FIG. 4 showing the interior construction with the board inside of its receptacle in the brief case.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of an alternative view of standing brief case construction.

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the same type of brief case.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the brief case of FIGS. 6 and 7 showing a similar view to FIG. 7 but with the writing board positioned on the outside of the brief case.

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional view of the brief case construction of FIG. 8 upon the line 9--9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 which show the first embodiment, the brief case construction has a main side wall 10 which forms the outside of the extra receptacle with a rear side wall 11 which are joined together by means of a slide fastening closure 12, the slide fastener closure 12 extends around the entire inside periphery of the brief case as shown in FIG. 3 and it is formed of two sections which can commence along one side edge, along 15 16 along the other side edges tion 17 which carry the slider 18.

The junction portion 19 of the brief case includes an outside layer 20 which connects the panels 10 and 11 and it also has an internal structure 21 which connects the pockets 22.

Each of the pockets 22 has an inside wall 23 and an outside wall 24, which outside walls 24 constitute the main interior panels.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inside walls 23 at their bottom edges 25 are turned up and stitched at 26 to the ends 27 of the U-shaped structural member 21.

The same stitching 26 extends through and bind into position the lower portions or edges 28 of the main inside panels 24.

At the sides of the pockets there are gussets 29, the outer edges of which at 30 are stitched in position by the main peripheral stitching 31. The main peripheral stitching 31 extends over the full periphery of the brief case as indicated in FIG. 3 and it holds in position the side caps 32 as well as the top caps 33 which are formed by turning over the inside edges of the main panels 10 and 11. This main stitching 31 which extends along both sides of the brief case and also along the top edges of the brief case, holds in position the flexible woven edging fabric 34a of the side sections 15 (see FIG. 4) of the slide fastener as well as the peripheral portions 35 of the top edges of the main inside structural panels 24, as shown in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5, the peripheral side edges 36 of the main inside structural elements 24 are also held in position by said peripheral stitching 31. The main outside panel 10 is split as indicated at 37 with a slide fastener 38 being positioned along the edges of said split so that the split or opening 37 is closed by the slide fastener element 39 when the carrying board 40 is in home position within the interior of the brief case construction.

The board itself may be of laminated material with a backing 41 of relatively stiff material, a blotter facing 42 and the side pockets 43 for carrying said blotter in position.

The back of the board 40 is carried by the ends 44 of at the top edges and at until they meet at posiat 13 and extend at 14 the straps 45 which are of a strong woven material such as nylon.

The strong woven material 45 is either stitched or held in position by the rivet members 46 at its interior end and at the exterior end it is held in place by the stitching 47 which also extends through the side caps 48 at one side of the board.

The back of the board opposite the stitching at 47 to the straps 45 carries the male or female snap connections 49 which cooperate with the male or female snap connections 50 mounted directly upon the wall at 51. These snap connections extend through the wall 10 holding in position the straps 45 as well as an interlining 52 positioned inside of the wall 10.

When the board is withdrawn as shown in FIG. 2, the

straps 45 will extend over and engage themselves on the rough edge of the open slide fastener 38 and stabilize themselves as well as stabilize the board against undue slippage whether the device he used in an automobile, aeroplane or train.

Although the snap connections 49 and 50 are not necessary, they also are of value in providing a firm rest and support for the writing board 40 and prevent its relative movement in respect to the brief case with vibration of the train, of the plane or the automobile, as the case may be.

It will be noted that the applicant has provided substantially a through pocket from the space 60 constituting the primary pocket through the bottom space 61 constituting a continuation of the pocket 60 into the space 62 which constitutes the rearmost pocket. This through space helps stabilize the brief case and provides a receptacle for the board which will not cause undue bulkiness or lopsidedness of the brief case.

This peripheral or outside continuous pocket 60, 61, 62 permits unobstructive use of the central receptacle pocket 63 as well as the side pockets 22.

The writing board 40 is readily removed by gripping it at the top end. This end forms a convenient handle enabling the insertion of the board between the heavy walls 10 and 24 and removal of the 'board from the main auxiliary pocket 60.

The slide fastener opening 37 should desirably be of extra length extending about at least one-quarter and desirably one-half inch beyond the side edges 65 of the board 40. The width and length of the board should desirably be less than the width and length of the side wall 10 by two or three inches.

It is found that this dimensional control of the writing board will give maximum stability to it when used in a vibrating vehicle, particularly when associated with the straps 45 held in position by the edge 38 of the slide fastener and if desired, also locked in position by the engagement of the male and female elements 49 and 50.

Surprisingly, the brief case will not be any bulkier than the normal brief case and the snap fasteners 50 will not detract from the external appearance of the brief case. The extra stitching indicated at 65a around the mouth of the pocket at 37 is combined with the edge stitching so that the brief case has the same desirable appearance as if such structure were not in position.

Referring to the other embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, there is shown a structure having the front wall 70 which is of normal construction carrying an adjustable female fastener member 71. The brief case has two inverted U-shaped members 72 which are hingedly connected together at 73 and form the upper structural members of the forward side wall 70 as well as the rear side wall 74.

One of the U-shaped members 72 carries the handle 75 which is hingedly connected thereto at 76.

Between the main front panel-70 and the back panel 74 is connected by the side gussets 77 and the bottom gusset'78.

The main feature of the present invention resides in the additional mouth opening at 79 in the panel 74 which permits insertion and removal of a writing board 80.

The writing board 80 has amain stiff back 81, a blotter face 82 and an encircling cap portion 83 and 84 at the top and bottom and 85 at the sides.

The board carries the strap members 86 which may extend the full back of the board and at its lower end it has snap fasteners 87 with either the male or female being on the back of the board 80 and the other being at 88 on the side of the brief case.

The pocket 89 is formed between the structural elements or walls 74 and 90 with the bottom of the pocket being closed by the stitching 91.

This stitching holds in position the lower ends 92 of the straps 86 as well as the main back wall 74 at its lower end 93 and the main interior wall 90 at its lower edge or end 94.

In addition, the stitching 91 holds the end 95 of the gusset 78 in position so as to form a stabilized strong construction for the pocket 89. The slide fastener elements as shown in FIG. 9 have their tapes 96 and 97 respectively stitched into position at 98 and 99 along the edges of the open mouth 79 of the pocket 89.

The upper end 99 of the wall 90 carries the strip of leather material 100 which forms the upper part of the main wall 74. Stitched to the section 100 is the cover 101 of one of the U-frame members 72 as indicated by stitching at 102.

The stitching 103 holds in positionthe extra backing material 104 which is stitched at 98 to the tape 96 of the slide fastener.

The interior of the brief case of FIG. 9 has the stiff reinforcing pocket partitions 105 which form a main central pocket 106 with an expander 107 and the side pockets 108 and 109.

These pockets may be used regardless of whether the board is inserted in home position or is removed as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 and the normal operation of the brief case will not be affected by removal and insertion of the board 80 for writing or taking notes during traveling.

It has been found that with a bottom support brief case such as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the writing board is best stabilized by closure of the pocket by the stitching '91 at the bottom of the casing. While with a hand sized brief case, it is better to form a through pocket from edge to edge of the brief case to give the necessary stabilization effect, it is thus apparent that the applicant has provided a novel brief case structure which may be used by travellers Without interfering with the normal carrying function of the brief case to provide a writing desk readily supported upon the knees in vehicles, Whether they be automobiles, trains or planes.

The cost of the brief case is not greatly increased and the convenience to the user is greatly enhanced by a writing board which may be readily withdrawn or inserted in an auxiliary pocket at the side of the brief case, each side of which is enclosed by relatively stiff walls separated from the normally pocket carrying structure.

The embodiment of my invention shown and described herein is to be considered merely as illustrative, as my invention is susceptible to variation, modification and change within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, what is claimed is:

1. In a brief case of the type having a central compartment with a top main mouth opening extending longitudinally across the top of the brief case, said brief case having a main wall structure and an interior main partition; the combination therewith of an auxiliary side pocket formed between said main wall structure and said interior main partition, said pocket having a separate mouth opening parallel to and closely adjacent the main mouth opening and a removable writing board received therein and parallel flexible straps attached to one edge of the board and also attached at their other ends to the interior of the bottom end of the auxiliary side pocket.

2. In a brief case of the type having a central compartment with a top main mouth opening extending longitudinally across the top of the brief case, said brief case having a main wall structure and an interior main partition; the combination therewith of an auxiliary side pocket formed between said main wall structure and said interior main partition, said pocket having a separate mouth opening parallel to and closely adjacent the main mouth opening and a removable writing board received therein, flexible straps permanently connecting said board within said pocket.

3. In a brief case of the type having a central compartment with a top main mouth opening extending longitudinally across the top of the brief case, said brief case having a main wall structure and an interior main partition; the combination therewith of an auxiliary side pocket formed between said main wall structure and said interior main partition, said pocket having a separate mouth opening parallel to and closely adjacent the main mouth opening and a removable writing board received therein, said board having detachable snap connections to the outside of said main wall structure and parallel flexible straps attached to one edge of the board and also attached at their other ends to the interior of the bottom end of the auxiliary side pocket.

4. In a brief case of the type having a central compartment with a top main mouth opening extending longitudinally across the top of the brief case, said brief case having a main wall structure and an interior main partition; the combination therewith of an auxiliary side pocket formed between said main wall structure and said interior main partition, said pocket having a separate mouth opening parallel to and closely adjacent the main mouth opening and a removable writing board received therein, said mouth opening having a slide fastener closure and parallel flexible straps attached to one edge of the board and also attached at their other ends to the interior of the bottom end of the auxiliary side pocket.

5. In a brief case of the type having side walls, bottom and side expandable and contractible gusset closures and a top longitudinal opening having closure means the combination therewith of a side receptacle with a second parallel closure means to said first closure means and at a lower position than said first closure means, and a removable writing board positioned in said separate receptacle and separate parallel straps attached to one edge of the board and to the bottom of the interior of the separate receptacle.

6. In a brief case of the type having two vertical main side Walls forming the outside thereof, connections between the bottom edges and side edges of said side walls to form a complete receptacle, the upper edges of the side walls being provided with a closure means to permit access to the interior of the receptacle; the combination therewith of a pocket and a removable writing board therein, the pocket comprising an interior partition parallel to the side main walls and adjacent one main side wall and separating the pocket from the complete receptacle and holder strap means connecting one edge of the board to the bottom of the pocket permitting the board to be removed from the receptacle.

7. The brief case of claim 6, said pocket being provided with a closure means extending adjacent to said first mentioned closure means positioned in the adjacent main side wall, access to said pocket being through the upper portion of said main side wall and said strap means having parallel straps connected to the wall of the pocket adjacent the lower corners thereof and to the upper edge of the writing board.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,491,807 McLinn Apr. 29, 1924 2,105,319 Hedden et al Ian. 11, 1938 2,190,707 Feldman Feb. 20, 1940 2,229,673 Zolkind Oct. 20, 1942 2,332,757 Roth Oct. 26, 1943 

